1

~July/August 2017~

Palmyra Moravian Church Worship 9:30 AM

1921 Cinnaminson Avenue, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 (856)829-2886 ~ Email: palmyramoravian@gmail

“Our mission is to: Grow in Faith, Live in Love, Share the Hope, as we Journey with Jesus.”

2

Pastor’s Page I read, the other day, that in pre-historic times, summer was a joyous time of the year for the primitive people who lived in the northern latitudes. The snow had disappeared. The ground had thawed out, warm temperatures had returned; flowers were blooming, leaves had returned to the deciduous trees. The crops had already been planted and would be harvested in the months to come. Although many months of hot weather remained before the fall, they noticed that the days were beginning to shorten, so that the return of the cold season was inevitable. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? There’s an old saying that comes to mind: “The more things change, the more they stay the same” (the original quote is in French, I think, but the English is a lot easier to remember). Anyway, the Summer Solstice, the longest day and the official beginning of summer, is now behind us for another year. Though a handful of communities still celebrate the day with festivals, parades and such, I’m guessing that most of us barely noticed. In the midst of our busy lives we simply don’t have time to focus on something so apparently trivial. But the Summer Solstice, like its winter counterpart, is not so trivial, when you think about it. It is an annual reminder of the ever-changing nature of life. Seasons come and seasons go. Nothing stands still for long. And it is also an opportunity to pause and reflect on the fact that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” This tension between change and consistency is rooted in our understanding of God. “Thus says the Lord,” the prophet Isaiah writes, “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing.” The prophet Malachi, on the other hand, affirms that God is always the same. He repeats, from the mouth of God, the simple declaration, “I will never change.” So who is correct? Is God always the same, or is the Creator still creating? The answer, of course, is “yes,” on both counts. In the midst of a world where today’s cutting-edge technology becomes obsolete in what seems like a blink of an eye, leaving some of us feeling disturbingly like dinosaurs, God’s love is something we can count on. It was and is and always will be freely available to us. Yet at the same time, the Spirit that made everything is still in the world, shaping and changing it – doing a new thing – and we as God’s people have the privilege of participating in the transformation. Have a blessed summer, my friends. And be sure to take some time, during the long days ahead, to re-connect with the One who is both ever changing and always the same.

Jeff Van Orden

3

Congregation Watchword for 2017

Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Our Mission Statement

Grow in Faith, Live in Love, Share the Hope, as we Journey with Jesus

Our Core Values

Christ Centered - We value experiencing the Good News of God found in Jesus. Meaningful Worship - We value meaningful worship that resonates with love and joy. Christian Education - We value Christian education for people of all ages. Youth - We value nurturing our youth through engaging, meaningful & fun activities. Fellowship - We value being together through the warmth of fellowship. Tangible Outreach - We value reaching out with the love of God and the Good News of

Jesus in tangible ways.

In Our Prayers…All working toward healing: All working toward healing: Rex Knowlton, Maureen Lyons, Cyndy Mullineaux, Maggie Thompson, Robert Donovan, Susan Wilson, Libbie Horner, Sandy Burger, Erich Veitenheimer and Helen Williams. For all troops and those from our congregation: Matt Ormsby & John Christ. The international children we sponsor: Rosemary Rana (India) and Aurare Providence Umuhoza (Rwanda). **If you would like to add someone to our prayer list, please write the person’s name and pertinent information (with their consent) on one of the comment cards in the pews and place it in the offering plate.* *

4

New Moravian Worship Resource Survey for Congregation Members

The Provincial Elders’ Conferences of both Northern and Southern Province are exploring the current usage of the Moravian Book of Worship to help determine whether it may be time to begin work on a new hymnal or worship resource for the Moravian Church in North America.

The 20th century in America is rare in Moravian history in only producing 3 hymnals – 1923, 1969, and 1995. Work on the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship began with a survey of congregations and pastors in 1985, and the hymnal committee was appointed in 1987; thus it took 8 years to produce the hymnal, once the committee was formed and started to work. The 1995 book was never intended to be a long-lasting book; the committee saw it as a transitional book, to lead the Moravian Church in North America into the 21st century, since we had no idea what this century might bring. However, if our recommendation is to produce a new hymnal or worship resource, and the 2018 synods approve it, the next one is likely to come out in 2023-2025 – thus making the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship almost 30 years old!

If you would like to have input into the process of developing a new Worship Resource, you are invited to complete a survey. Copies are available in the church office, you may download one from our website or you can use this link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/moravianworshipgeneral August 13 Lovefeast on LBI!

With the support and cooperation of our friends at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Brant Beach, NJ, the Moravian congregations in the Delaware Valley are pleased to sponsor a traditional Moravian Lovefeast on Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 4:00 PM at Holy Trinity (5800 Long Beach Blvd, Brant Beach).

The lovefeast reminds us of the close tie between the Lutheran Church and the Moravian Church. On August 13,1727, after the celebration of holy communion, the Moravians living in Herrnhut, Germany continued to talk over the great spiritual blessing which they had experienced and were reluctant to separate and return to their own homes for the noonday meal.

Their patron, the Lutheran nobleman Count Zinzendorf, sensing the situation, sent them food from his manor house, and they ate together, continuing in prayer, religious conversation, and the singing of hymns. This incident reminded Zinzendorf of the early church’s agape meal, and the idea was fostered until lovefeasts became a regular custom in Moravian life.

The service of worship on August 13 will be similar to lovefeasts held in Moravian churches around the world. The congregation will be served traditional sugar cake and lemonade and invited to sing traditional hymns. There will also be an anthem or two sung by the choir of First Moravian in Riverside.

Please plan to be a part of this celebration of love.

5

Vacation Bible School July 17-21 9:00-11:45 AM

Gather your friends and neighbors and come to VBS this year for a great time learning about Jesus while enjoying songs, crafts, games, and refreshments! What could be better? Teachers and Helpers are definitely needed! Please consider volunteering this year. It is always a fun time! Please contact Lynn Boyle@ laboyle104@gmail.com or Kristie Figiel@bmskfig@comcast.net for questions, to register, or to volunteer.

Please keep the office updated with your current contact information. Also, if any member has any news to share in the Beacon, please let us know!

Here’s how! Office Telephone: 856-829-2886 Church Email: palmyramoravian@gmail.com Church Secretary, Ginny Lyon: palmyrasecretary@gmail.com Tell Pastor Jeff or an Elder: Terri Coles, Joann Cross, Lauren Dougherty, John Meller, Jane Miles

Sunday School Birthday Party “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of

these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40 Recently the Sunday School held a Mission Project Birthday Party on our church’s anniversary with the purpose of celebrating Aurare Providence Umuhoza’s 15th birthday.

Aurare is the young girl living in Rwanda that our congregation supports through the World Vision organization. We made cards to send to her and sent a donation through World Vision so she could enjoy her own birthday party! So, we had fun too! Our goodie bags had some fun things to play with like glasses and funny noses! If you were paying attention in church you might have seen Lauren Dougherty wearing her pair! Sunday School will resume in September! See you then!

6

Our Prayer for Our High School Graduates 2017 Let us now share in your joy As together, we celebrate

What God has done in your life, Today, as you graduate

We pray that you will go on to What God has already planned,

For you have such an awesome future When you place it in God’s hands.

Joshua Conyers graduated from Delran High School on June 16th. He was a three year letterman on the cross country team and a member of The National Honor Society. He will be attending The University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business where he plans to study Finance and Risk Management. Josh is the son of Chip and Rachel and the grandson of Ruthie and Charlie Conyers.

Reeves Balderson and Andrew Healey graduated from Moorestown High School on June 22. Reeves is the son of Stacey and Bruce. Andrew is the son of Marcey and Jack. Both boys are the grandsons of Mary Jane and Jim Wittmeyer. Reeves is a Bloustein Scholar and was recognized with the Highest Academic Honors Distinction. He received the Community Service, STEM, and Moorestown Garden Awards. He was presented with the Moorestown Business Scholarship. Reeves will be attending the University of Michigan. Andrew received the Moorestown High School Choral Program’s Outstanding Vocal Performance Award for 2017. He earned the program’s 4 year Recognition Award. Andrew was recognized with the High Academic Honors Distinction. He will be attending Dickinson College and has already become a Dickinson Scholar.

Congratulations to all of you!!

7

Summer at Camp Hope!

Look ahead now and sign up for one of our great Moravian Camps! Pre- Primary Conference Completed Grades 1 & 2 June 14 - 17, 2017 $225 ($60 deposit) Primary Conference Completed Grades 3 & 4 July 16 – July 22, 2017 $350 ($90 deposit) Middler Conference Completed grades 5 & 6 June 23 – July 1, 2017 $350 ($90 deposit) Junior High Conference Completed Grades 7 & 8 July 2 - 8, 2017 $350 ($90 deposit) Senior & Post High Conference Completed Grade 9 - 12 Up to and including age 21 July 30 – August 5, 2017 $350 ($90 deposit) Sports Camp (grade 9 – 12) June 18 – 24 2017 $375 ($100 deposit) Fishing Camp (grade 6-10) June 18- 24, 2017 $375 ($100 deposit) Swimming Camp (grade 3 - 6) July 9 – 15, 2016 $375 ($100 deposit) Musical Theater Camp (grades 5 - 9) July 9 – 15, 2017 $375 ($100 deposit) *Each child going to camp will receive a $125 scholarship from the church!

Have you noticed our outside church sign?

Thank you to Madison Figiel for taking care of our sign. She is the church sign master, always taking the time to change our messages to appropriate

postings.

Thanks, Madison

Peach

Festival

FridayAugust18,20175:00-7:00PM

Anyonewishingtohelpwithpreparingpeaches(9:00am),serving(5:00-6:15,6:15-7:00pm),orcleaningup(7:00pm)cansignupinthechurch.Allhelpismuchappreciated.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontactCharlieConyers829-4639.

Welookforwardtoseeingyouthere-andremembertoinviteneighbors,co-workers,familyandfriends!

8

Office Hours

If there is an emergency or an unexpected need that calls for a pastoral visit, then notify Pastor Van Orden or any of our Elders for assistance:

Pastor Van Orden – 856-669-7592 John Meller – 856-232-8337 Jane Miles – 856-829-0806 Terri Coles – 856-596-4457

Lauren Dougherty- 609-828-1282 Joann Cross – 609-560-9248

Secretary’s hours are:

Thursday 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. e- mail: palmyrasecretary@gmail.com

Moravian Men Join us for Breakfast at Jim’s Harbor Deli, 75 River Dr., Delran, ½ mi. north of Taylor Ln. July 8th @ 8:30am.and August 12th @ 8:30am.

All are welcome!

Food on the First!

Our church will bring food on the First Sunday of the month (July 2 and August 6). Place food items in the food basket up front in the sanctuary. All of the food will go to the Bread of Life Food Pantry (Located at Epworth United Methodist in Palmyra) and will provide for families in the Tri-Boro.

Joyful Noise Offering

will be held on July 16th to benefit the Social Action Committee and August 20th to benefit Interfaith

Hospitality Network

JulyBirthdays

7/1 Leann Binkley 7/17 Hayden Conyers Natalie Stein 7/21 Patrick Obuchowski 7/4 John Chambley 7/22 Brianna Rorhback 7/9 John Hoenig 7/25 B.J. Burger 7/11 Cindy Meller 7/26 John Williams 7/13 Finn Conyers 7/28 Bridget Godwin 7/15 Rylie Pfeffer 7/31 Mikel Binkley

JulyAnniversaries

7/6 Marcey & Jack Healey 7/10 Bill & Kathleen Pfeiffer

August Birthdays

8/4 Reagan Pfeiffer 8/14 Shane Dougherty 8/5 Kyle Lingo 8/15 Zachary Binkley 8/6 Kristie Figiel 8/17 Janelle Conyers 8/7 Brian Obuchowski 8/21 Wade Stein 8/13 Alice Chambley

August Anniversaries

8/9 Frank & Lorraine Cianfrani 8/18 Terri & Bob Coles

The September Beacon Deadline is:

August 15th

9

From the Social Action Committee Social Action Collection to support our two internationally-sponsored children will be taken on Sunday July 23rd and August 27th.

v Food Basket Non-perishable food items are needed for members of our local community. Donations can be placed in the church basket in the wing. Food will go to the “Bread of Life Food Pantry” in Palmyra.

Please continue to pray for our two internationally sponsored girls, Rosemary and Aurare, and please give generously to our Social Action Collection the last Sunday of each month which directly supports them and other individuals in need.

Bread of Life Food Pantry

Where: Epworth United Methodist Church (501 Morgan Ave., Palmyra)

856-829-1908

**The food pantry will be open the 3rd Saturday of every month** 10:00a.m. – 1:00p.m.

We have been asked to collect these items: Peanut Butter, Jelly, Cookies, Crackers, Kool-Aid, Rice Krispies Treats, Goldfish Cheez-its, Popcorn, Pudding and Jello. All other food items are welcome as well

Please place your donations in the basket inside the church vestibule.

For more infoor if you would like to volunteer please contact

Delores Lundy – 609-424-7481

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!